Apparatus for preshrinking cloth



, May 12, 1936.

H. A. WOODHEAD APPARATUS FOR PRESHRINKING CLOTH Filed Nov. 24, 1934llflllnl -r dllllll II IQ Patented May 12, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for preshrinking cloth for thepurpose of substantially eliminating shrinkage in both weft and warp insubsequent laundering operations.

I have found that the shrinkage resulting from laundering operations isnot due solely to increased crinkle which may be induced in the warp orweft yarns but that it is also due to the physical rearrangement andreadjustment of the yarns and fibers due to the mechanical working andreconditioning and flexing of the fabric in all directions while in itsplastic condition during laundering. I obtain this rearrangement of thewarp and weft yarns by mechanically working the web rapidly andpositively. My process for pre-shrinking is preferably carried out afterthe usual preliminary steps, such as singeing, removing the warp sizing,bleaching, dyeing, printing, mercerizing, drying calendering andpolishing, or other customary operations have been performed upon theweb so that no subsequent operation is necessary which might impair thefull advantages of the pre-shrunk condition attained.

In my co-pending application Serial No. 674,495, filed June 6, 1933, nowPatent No. 1,982,720, dated December 4, 193.4, I have disclosedprocesses and apparatus for mechanically working a fabric web toreadjust the positions of the component yarns of the web within the bodythereof in order to impose a pre-shrunk condition on the web. Thepresent invention is similar in its more general aspects to thatdisclosed in said application, inasmuch as herein also the pre-shrunkcondition is imposed upon the web by mechanically working within thebody of the web. In carrying out the present invention a plurality ofresilient fingers are provided which mechanically work the web as itpasses over a roll that forms a working surface for the fingers. Thefingers are caused to penetrate the web, or at least firmly grip thelatter, for compressing the web warp-wise by effecting readjustment ofthe positions of the yarn components of the web within the body thereof.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view in simplified diagrammatic form ofapparatus embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view on an enlarged scale of a portion ofthe apparatus illustrated in Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the end portion of one ofthe resilient fingers that mechanically work the web.

I preferably carry out my pre-shrinking operations as part of thefinishing operation upon a fabric and in Figure 1 the dotted line I0represents the center line of a fabric Web which it is assumed haspreviously been subjected to processing operations such as bleaching,dyeing, printing, calendering, etc., or combinations thereof. The web [0is drawn from a bin or truck I over guide rolls 2 by a pair of feedrolls 3, 4.

Although I have successfully carried out my pre-shrinking operationwhile the fabric is in a dry condition, I prefer to have it in a plasticcondition. While the fabric may be processed in a wet conditionresulting from some preliminary operation, I have illustrated mypre-shrinking operations as commencing by passage of the fabric over asteam chest 5 where thefabric is moistened and rendered plastic. Ifdesired the fabric may be rendered plastic by passing it through amangle in which a final sizing is imparted to the web. The plasticizingof the web permits it to be more easily adaptable to the mechanicalworking which I impose upon it for effecting a rearrangement of thecomponent yarns and fibres to thus attain a pre-shrunk condition inwhich the yarns are in a state of substantial equilibrium.

The feed roll 4 is positively driven as by a chain 6 operated, forexample, from the variable speed shaft 1 of a Reeves variator 8. The webis taken up on delivery from rolls 3, 4 by a pair of rolls ll, l2 thelatter of which is also positively driven, as by a chain l3 operatedfrom the constant speed shaft l4 of variator 8. Rolls l I, I2 are drivenat a slightly slower rate than feed rolls 3, 4 for a purpose which willbe apparent later.

The roll l2 constitutes a working surface against which the ends of aplurality of spaced resilient fingers l5 operate for imposing apreshrunk condition on the web. The free end portions of fingers l5 arebent at an angle to their shanks [6 by means of which they are supportedin a clamp bar I! extending parallel to roll I2. The clamp ll bar issupported for vertical and horizontal adjustment so that the free endsof fingers I5 may be adjusted vertically and horizontally with respectto the nip between the rolls II and I2. Clamp bar I! is also rotatablyadjustable to regulate the pressure with which fingers l5 bear againstthe roll I2 and Web thereon. The detailed construction of clamp bar I!and the manner in which it is adjustably mounted are described in myco-pending application Serial No. 754,575, filed, November 24, 1934.Briefly, the

adjusting arrangement consists of discs 18 that support the bar I! ateach'end and which are rotatably adjustable on slides 20. The slides 20are horizontally adjustable toward and away fro-m roll I2 on blocks 2|which in turn are vertically adjustable on side members 22 of themachine frame. 7

The shanks I6 of the fingers l5 extend between spacers 24 locatedintermediate a series of irregularly shaped fiat-sided cams 25 on a camshaft 26 also mounted parallel to roll [2. The cams 20, one of which isprovided for each finger, are

adapted to act on the shanks I6 of the fingers I5 for rapidly movingtheir end portions over the surface of roll I2 to grip the web and forceit toward the nip between the latter and roll II. The resilience of thefingers I5 causes their retraction from engagement with the web. 7

As shown in Figure 3, the undersides of the end portions of fingers l5are channelled or other wise formed to provide two points 21 on eachfinger for penetrating the surface of the web and firmly gripping thelatter. the fingers that are located between the points 21 act to limitthe extent to which the points penetrate the web. The ends of thefingers are also chamfered or cut back at 28 so that the points 21 mayreadily penetrate the surface of the web and be'withdrawn from thelatter without tearing or otherwise injuring the web. 7

Cam shaft 26 is operated from drive I by 'a chain 29. The cams operateagainst the shanks Hi to cause the fingers l5 to grip the web and forceit forwardly toward the nip between rolls II and I2 at a slightly fasterrate than the web is advanced by these rolls. The fingers I5 areoperated at a rate with respect to feed rolls 3, 4 that prevents theundue accumulation of slack in the web while at the same time permittingthe Web to be forced forward by the fingers into the confined zoneformed by the nip between rolls II, I2 without imposing warp-wisetension on the web due to its forward movement.

As shown'in Figure 2, the series of cams 25 on cam shaft 26 form severalgroups of evenly spaced cams 25a, 25b, and 250, arranged so that thegroups operate in rapid succession for continuously engaging fingerswith the web. Each group consists of a plurality of cams as 250., etc.acting in unison on related evenly spaced fingers I5a, etc., so that theweb is always gripped by the points 21 of a number of fingers I5 spacedevenly across the width thereof in order that it may be advanced evenly.

Due to the operation of rolls I I, I2 at a slightly slower rate thanfeed rolls 3, 4 the web in is free from warp-wise tension as it isshoved and pushed forwardly into the rolls II, l2. Upon being engagedwith the web by the cams 25 the points 21 of the fingers I5 are forcedinto and between the fibres of both the weft and warp yarns of the web.The points 21 of the fingers I5 are so small that they tend to operatenot only upon the individual weft yarns but also actually into andbetweenthe fibres making up the warp yarns. The points 2] are forcedinto the web at a slight angle to its surface due to the direction ofmovement of the fingers I5 and the curvature of the-web in passing overthe roll I3.

Thus, on penetrating, or at least firmly gripping, the web while it isfree from tension the fingers I5 tend to loosen the component yarns ofthe web and exert a shoving'action thatpositions the weft yarns moreclosely together and acts longitudinally of the warp yarns to shove Theend portions of them together into a fatter or'thicker state, i. e. withincreased diameters.

As mentioned above, the fingers I5 are operated by the cams 25 to forcethe web toward the nip between rolls I I, I2 at a faster rate than theserolls act to take up the web from feed rolls 3, 4 and advance it.Consequently, the forward movements of fingers l5 on the surface of rollI2 cause a shoving together of the fibres of the warp yarns as well as acompacting action on the weft yarns that are gripped by the points ofthe fingers. As a result, there is a mechanical readjustment andrepositioning of the component yarns of the web, as distinguished from amere crinkling of the yarns. Thus, a pre-shrunk condition is imposed on.the web by actually compressing and contracting it warp-wise.

The surfaces of rolls II and I2 may be heated V in any suitable mannerso that the web is set and dried in its pre-shrunk condition as itpasses between these rolls. Additional drying cans may, of course, beused. The web is delivered by rolls II, I2onto a platform 3!! thatsupports the web to prevent the imposition of warp-wise, tensionthereon, due to sagging, that might diminish the pre-shrinking effectattained by fingers I5. The web is taken up from platform 39 by anendless band 3| and carried forwardly to folding apparatus 32 that foldsthe finished fabric in piles in a bin or truck 33. The carrier band 3|is operated to take up and advance the web at its rate of delivery fromrolls I I, I2 in order to avoid imposing Warp-wise tension on the webthat might act to diminish the pre-shrunk effect attained.

The web on passing between the feed rolls, 3, 4, after beingpla-sticized, may be found to have the width desired in the finishedpre-shrunk fabric. In this event the web may be delivered directly fromfeed rolls 3, 4 to the rolls II, I2 for working by the fingers I5 tocompress it warp-wise. If, however, the web is found to have a greaterwidth than desired it may be reduced weft-wise by passing it through a.tentering frame, or other suitable device, as disclosed in the abovementioned application. In such case the tentering frame would take upthe web from rolls 3, 4,

stretch it weft-Wise to the desired-width and deliver it torolls II, I2for working by the fingers Although an illustrative embodiment of myinvention has been shown and described in detail, there are many changesand variations that may be made without departing from the inventionand, therefore, I desire and intend to include all such changes andvariations within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: I

1. In apparatus for mechanically working a fabric web to impose apre-shrunk condition thereon; a plurality of spaced, reciprocablefingers adapted to grip the web at points spaced transverselythereof;and means for reciprocating said fingers for causing them to grip theweb and exert loosening, pulling and shoving actions on the componentyarns thereof for rea-djusting their positions within the body of theweb to effect a warp-wise compression thereof.

2. In apparatus for mechanically working a fabric web to impose apro-shrunk condition thereon; web-carrying means; a plurality of spaced,reciprocable web-working fingers having end portions adapted to grip theweb at a plurality of points spaced transversely thereof; and means forreciprocating said fingers-tougripthe web as it is advanced by saidcarrying means and force it forwardly at a faster rate than it isadvanced by said carrying means for causing said fingers to readjust thepositions of the compo-' nent yarns of the web and effect a warp-wisecompression thereof.

3. In apparatus for mechanically working a fabric web to impose apro-shrunk condition thereon; a web-supporting surface; a plurality ofevenly spaced, reciprocable web-working fingers adapted to grip the weband advance it on said surface; and means for reciprocating said fingersin unison to cause them to grip the web at a plurality of points spacedevenly across the width thereof for advancing the web evenly over saidsurface.

4. In apparatus for mechanically working a fabric web to impose apre-shrunk condition thereon; a web-supporting surface; a plurality ofspaced web-working fingers adapted to grip the Web and advance it onsaid surface; and means for rapidly and successively operatingindependent groups of said fingers, each group comprising a number offingers, for continuously gripping and advancing the web.

5. In an apparatus for mechancally working a fabric web to impose apre-shrunk condition thereon; a web-supporting surface; a plurality ofweb-working fingers supported in spaced relation adjacent said surfaceand operable to grip the web and move it on said surf-ace; and means foroperating independent groups of said fingers in rapid succession, eachgroup comprising a number of evenly spaced fingers gripping the websimultaneously, whereby the web is continuously and evenly advanced onsaid surface by fingers gripping the latter at points spaced evenlyacross the width thereof.

6. In apparatus for mechanically working a fabric web to impose a.pre-shrunk condition thereon; web-supporting means; means for drivingsaid supporting means to advance the web; a plurality of spaced fingersmounted adjacent said web-supporting means adapted to be moved intogripping engagement with the web as it is advanced by said supportingmeans; cam means for engaging said fingers with the web and moving themforwardly with respect to said web supporting and advancing means; andmeans for operating said cam means to move said webgripping fingersforwardly with respect to said supporting means at a faster rate thanthe latter advances the web for causing said fingers to exert shovingactions on the component yarns of the web to compress the latterwarp-wise.

'7. In apparatus for mechanically working a fabric web to impose apre-shrunk condition thereon; web-supporting means; means for drivingsaid supporting means to advance the web; a plurality of spaced,resilient fingers mounted adjacent said web-supporting means adapted tobe moved into gripping engagement with the web as it is advanced by saidsupporting means; and cam means periodically acting on said fingers forengaging them with the web and moving them forwardly with respect tosaid web supporting and advancing means at a faster rate than the latteradvances the web for causing said fingers to exert shoving actions onthe component yarns of the web to compress the latter warp-wise, theresiliency of said fingers acting to retract them from grippingengagement with the Web when said cams are ineffective to move themforwardly with respect to said web-supporting means.

8. In apparatus for mechanically working a fabric web to impose apre-shrunk condition thereon; web-feeding means; web-carrying means fortaking up the web from said feeding means and. advancing it; drivingmeans for said feeding means; means for driving said carrying means at aslower rate than said feeding means to relieve the web of warp-wisetension as it is taken up by said carrying means; a plurality of spacedWebworking fingers adapted to grip the web on said carrying means; andmeans for operating said fingers to cause them to grip the web and forceit forwardly on said carrying means at a faster rate than it is advancedby the latter, whereby said fingers exert shoving actions on the web,while it is relieved of warp-wise tension, to readjust the positions ofthe component yarns of the web for compressing it warp-wise.

9, In apparatus for mechanically working a fabric web to impose apre-shrunk condition thereon; web-feeding means; web-carrying means fortaking up the web from said feeding means and advancing it; drivingmeans for said feeding means; means for driving said carrying means at aslower rate than said feeding means to relieve the web of warp-wisetension as it is taken up by said carrying means; a plurality of spacedwebworking fingers adapted to grip the web on said carrying means; andmeans for operatingsaid fingers to cause them to grip the web and forceit forwardly on said carrying means at a faster rate than it is advancedby the latter, whereby said fingers act to prevent the accumulation ofslack in the web between said feeding and carrying means and exertshoving actions on the component yarns of the web to readjust theirpositions within the body of the web to effect a warpwise compression ofthe latter.

10. In apparatus for mechanically working a fabric to impose apre-shrunk condition thereon; a pair of rolls for engaging and advancingthe web; means for driving said rolls; a plurality of spaced fingerssupported adjacent said rolls adapted to grip the web and press thelatter against the surface of one of said rolls; and means for engagingsaid fingers with the web and moving them forwardly over the surface ofsaid roll at a rate to force the web toward the nip between said rollsfaster than it is advanced by said rolls for causing said fingers toexert shoving actions on the component yarns of the web to readjusttheir positions within the body of the web and effect warp-wisecompression thereof.

HENRY A. WOODHEAD.

